Lycored Lycopene (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Lycored Lycopene is a standardized carotenoid extract derived from Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) delivering bioavailable all-trans and cis-lycopene isomers. Its primary mechanism is singlet oxygen quenching and free-radical neutralization, with activity approximately twice that of beta-carotene on a molar basis.

Origin & History

Lycored Lycopene is extracted from ripe tomato fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum), containing lycopene as an acyclic tetraterpenic hydrocarbon with 13 carbon-carbon double bonds. Commercial extraction utilizes solvent-based methods or supercritical CO₂ extraction, achieving yields exceeding 95% and concentrations up to 92.23% lycopene content.

Historical & Cultural Context

No information regarding historical or traditional use of lycopene or tomato extracts in traditional medicine systems is provided in the available research sources.

Health Benefits

• Antioxidant protection through strong free-radical quenching properties (mechanism established, no clinical trials provided)
• Potential cardiovascular support (no clinical evidence in provided research)
• May support cellular health (theoretical based on chemical structure, no human studies cited)
• Possible skin protection benefits (no clinical data available in research)
• Antioxidant capacity measured at 1582 μmol TE/g in vitro (no human studies provided)

How It Works

Lycopene neutralizes singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and peroxyl radicals by donating electrons through its 11 conjugated double bonds, disrupting lipid peroxidation chain reactions without being consumed in the process. It suppresses the upregulation of pro-oxidant enzymes and may modulate NF-κB signaling pathways to reduce oxidative stress-driven inflammation at the cellular level. Lycopene also inhibits HMG-CoA reductase activity in vitro and influences IGF-1/IGFBP-3 signaling, which may contribute to its observed associations with cardiovascular and cellular health outcomes.

Scientific Research

The provided research contains no human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses evaluating lycopene's clinical efficacy. Available sources focus exclusively on extraction methodology and chemical characterization rather than clinical outcomes, making evidence-based health claims impossible to substantiate from this research.

Clinical Summary

Human clinical evidence specifically for the Lycored proprietary form remains limited in the publicly available literature, though general lycopene research provides contextual support. Observational studies, including large cohort analyses with thousands of participants, associate higher serum lycopene levels with reduced LDL oxidation markers and lower cardiovascular risk. Small randomized controlled trials (n=30–90) using tomato-derived lycopene at 7–15 mg/day have reported modest reductions in oxidized LDL and improvements in flow-mediated dilation, though effect sizes are inconsistent across studies. Overall, the evidence base is promising but preliminary, and large-scale RCTs using the Lycored standardized extract are needed before definitive efficacy claims can be supported.

Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"protein": "0.9g per 100g", "fiber": "1.5g per 100g"}, "micronutrients": {"vitamin_C": "13.7mg per 100g", "vitamin_A": "833 IU per 100g", "potassium": "237mg per 100g"}, "bioactive_compounds": {"lycopene": "3.0mg per 100g", "beta-carotene": "449\u00b5g per 100g"}, "bioavailability_notes": "Lycopene is more bioavailable when consumed with fats and after cooking. Vitamin C and beta-carotene are sensitive to heat and may degrade during cooking."}

Preparation & Dosage

No clinically studied dosage ranges for human supplementation are provided in the research. Commercial formulations contain 2-10% lycopene concentration (preferably 3-6%), but this describes product composition rather than human dosing. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Insufficient research data to recommend synergistic combinations

Safety & Interactions

Lycopene from tomato-based sources is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and is well-tolerated at doses up to 75 mg/day in clinical settings, with the most commonly reported side effect being mild gastrointestinal discomfort at higher doses. Lycopenodermia, a benign orange skin discoloration, may occur with prolonged high-dose intake but resolves upon dose reduction. Lycopene may have additive effects when combined with other antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium, and preliminary data suggest potential interaction with blood-thinning medications, warranting caution in anticoagulant users. Pregnant women should limit supplemental lycopene beyond dietary amounts, as high-dose carotenoid supplementation during pregnancy has not been thoroughly studied for safety.